Player media Freaknotes: Which young guys are stepping up?

Select Tennessee players met with the media on Monday. Here’s my Freaknotes summary of what was said.

#34 So. LB Darrin Kirkland Jr.

-Wasn’t extremely healthy this year. I got banged up and my ankle wasn’t 100%. I had shoulder problems from the spring. Bowl prep has been a chance to get healthy. Back to myself with speed and overall mentality and am ready to make plays.

–On returning from injury: I wanted to be there for my teammates – my brothers. Cam Sutton and Alvin Kamara did the same things. We are going to do whatever to help this team finish the best possible. Guys on the team are looking to me to lead by example.

–Asked who are some young guys that have turned heads during bowl practice: Freshman Daniel Bituli has done a great job. He didn’t get many reps during the season, but saw his role pick up during bowl practice.

#20 Jr. LB Cortez McDowell

-We really stressed tackling and communication during the bowl practices — alignments, formations, and talking it through with all 11 guys to make sure everyone is lined up right and playing the right assignment.

-We’re only as good as our last performance, so were looking at this opportunity to improve on that and just get that momentum going into the offseason.

-With the early injury to Jalen Reeves-Maybin I was forced into action earlier this year, but helped me become much more comfortable with the defensive scheme and, in turn, I can help the younger guys.

–On Leonard Fournette skipping bowl game: that’s nothing I can control wish him the best. I know he declared for the draft. He’s had a great career in college and I’m looking forward to watching him play on Sunday’s.

#7 So. DB Rashaan Gaulden

–On how it used to be when Tennessee wasn’t bowl eligible: We get the reminder every now and then. The seniors talk about how it was the first season here and how fortunate we are they paved the way for us to make it to three straight bowl games. It’s a great luxury and I plan on continuing that trend.

–On guys that caught your eye during bowl practice: Darrell Taylor and Marquill Osborne catching my eye and DJ Henderson has been making some strides. All these guys have amazing potential. DJ’s switch turned on in bowl prep, he’s just making plays out in the field. Being able to play all season against the first team on the scout team helped him. The first three games of my freshman year I was playing against the ones on the scout team — Marquez North and guys like that. That definitely benefitted me in the long run.

#71 Sr. OL Dylan Wiesman

-It’s not too much of an issue, playing with different lineups. It does take some time to get used to different players, though. It definitely throws a wrinkle in there.

–On the team’s excitement level to play Nebraska: I think we are ready to go. Some people out there are doubting us. I think we are a hungry team. If you watch our practices we get after it. I think that’s an indication of how we’re going to play in this game.

-As a senior, this game is a second chance to leave our mark as a class after the Vanderbilt loss.

Forum discussion: Which young guys are stepping up in bowl practice?